Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Law (Volume 3 page 215)
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Optional Law subject.
Availability: Not offered in 1996.
Prerequisite: Torts and the Process of Law; History and Philosophy of Law.
Contact: 2 hours per week
Objectives:
Students completing the subject should: understand basic computer concepts and the terminology of computer technology so as to be able to identify, comprehend and discuss the problems posed by that technology; understand the unique issues posed by the use of computer technology, analyse the application of traditional legal rules to those issues and identify the shortcomings of traditional legal rules in regulating the use of computers; understand the purpose, scope and mechanisms of existing legislative responses to the problems posed by computer technology, assess the adequacy of such legislation and identify the need for further legislative intervention; appreciate the underlying social, political, philosophical and economic factors that influence development of computer law.
Content:
Introduction to basic concepts and terminology of computer technology. Computer abuse: varieties of computer abuse; the shortcomings of traditional criminal law in regulating such abuse and legislative responses to computer crime. Computers and evidence: computer records as evidence; evidence by computer experts; judicial comprehension and interpretation of computer related evidence. Data Protection: protection of the individual against abuse of computerised information. Management of databases and limits on access to and use of information. Common law and legislative controls. Intellectual property: copyright protection of computer programmes. Deficiencies in the pre-1984 Copyright Act and subsequent amendments. Protection of Look and feel. Parallel importing. Reverse Engineering. Protection of intellectual property in semi-conductors. The applicability of the Circuit Layouts Act 1989. Computer Contracts: Acquisition and maintenance Agreements for hardware and software. Combined agreements. Software escrow agreements. Distributorship agreements and consultancy agreements. Government contracts and the Government Information Technology Conditions.
Assessment:
Final Exam 3 hours (100 per cent).
Prescribed texts:
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Law (Volume 3 page 215)
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Law.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.